Kenny Lane


Kenny Lane was an American southpaw boxer. He fought for lightweight and light welterweight titles of the world, once against Joe Brown and twice against Carlos Ortiz.

Early life

Lane was raised on a farm in Big Rapids, Michigan with his four brothers and sister. According to his family, he regularly fought with his brothers and it is assumed that his southpaw stance was adopted to defend himself against his older brother who later became an Olympic boxer.

Professional boxing career

Lane was known for having a very unorthodox way of fighting. This combined with the fact that he was a southpaw made him an excellent boxer and in 1953 started his professional career.
Quote from Ortiz: "No one was more difficult to figure out than Kenny Lane, the guy was unbelievably clever"
He had a controversial decision loss to Joe Brown for undisputed lightweight championship of the world.
He fought the Ortiz rubber match for light welterweight title.
Lane decided at age 50 to round out his professional career to 100 bouts.
He dropped to his fighting weight from almost 200 pounds.
After beating 3 much younger opponents he lost to the fourth.
Lane decided to retire for the final time, making the even 100 bouts he sought.

Family life

Lane married his wife Ruth as a teenager in West Virginia. They had 4 children.

Later years

After retiring Lane continued teaching boxing in the Muskegon area. He ran the boxing program at the Muskegon Area Boxing Club.
In 1995, British singer Morrissey released an album called Southpaw Grammar. The cover featured an old photograph of Lane from the April 1963 issue of The Ring magazine.
Lane was admitted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004.
Later in life Lane became an avid golfer and had a tournament named for him. He died of a heart attack on August 5, 2008, alongside one of his most well known students, Christian Lloyd in Lansing, Michigan.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateAgeLocationNotes
100LossDave GuerraSD8Nov 2, 1983Grand Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
99Win82–15–2Willie McIntoshKO8 Jun 18, 1983Muskegon, Michigan, US
98Win81–15–2Paul LewisKO2 Apr 16, 1983Catholic Central Highschool, Muskegon, Michigan, US
97Win80–15–2Bobby PleggeUD8Jul 17, 1982Galaxy Arena, Muskegon, Michigan, US
96Loss79–15–2Eddie PerkinsUD12Oct 25, 1964Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
95Loss79–14–2Carlos HernándezTKO2 Oct 5, 1964Estadio Luis Aparicio, Maracaibo, Venezuela
94Loss79–13–2Dave CharnleyPTS10Jun 2, 1964Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, UK
93Win79–12–2Stoffel SteynRTD8 May 9, 1964Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
92Loss78–12–2Carlos OrtizUD15Apr 11, 1964Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto RicoFor WBA, WBC, and The Ring lightweight titles
91Win78–11–2Johnny BizzarroSD10Feb 19, 1964Tech Memorial Gym, Erie, Pennsylvania, US
90Win77–11–2Paul ArmsteadUD15Aug 19, 1963Veterans Memorial Stadium, Saginaw, Michigan, USWon vacant world lightweight title
89Win76–11–2Vicente DeradoUD10Mar 2, 1963Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
88Win75–11–2Len MatthewsTKO9, 2:54Sep 15, 1962Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
87Win74–11–2Carlos HernándezUD10Jul 14, 1962Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
86Win73–11–2Tommy TibbsUD10Jun 11, 1962Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, US
85Win72–11–2Luis MolinaUD10Apr 14, 1962Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, US
84Loss71–11–2Garland 'Rip' RandallUD10Jan 23, 1962Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
83Win71–10–2Aissa HashasPTS10Oct 16, 1961Palais des Sports, Paris, France
82Win70–10–2Virgil AkinsUD10Sep 22, 1961Navy-Marine Corps Mem. Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland, US
81Win69–10–2Garland 'Rip' RandallUD10Aug 30, 1961Sports Arena, Amarillo, Texas, US
80Win68–10–2T.J. JonesUD10Aug 14, 1961Vogue Arena, Chicago, Illinois, US
79Win67–10–2Willie RobertsonUD6Jun 30, 1961L.C. Walker Arena, Muskegon, Michigan, US
78Win66–10–2Ray PortillaTKO6 Jun 16, 1961Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, US
77Draw65–10–2Curtis CokesSD10Jun 8, 1961Texas Livestock Coliseum, Dallas, Texas, US
76Win65–10–1Manuel GonzalezUD10May 16, 1961Ector County Coliseum, Odessa, Texas, US
75Win64–10–1Garland 'Rip' RandallUD10May 1, 1961Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, US
74Draw63–10–1Carlos HernándezPTS10Feb 20, 1961Caracas, Venezuela
73Loss63–10Jose StableUD10Jan 23, 1961St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
72Win63–9Lahouari GodihMD10Dec 6, 1960Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
71Loss62–9Len MatthewsTKO3, 2:51Oct 8, 1960Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
70Win62–8Sidney AdamsTKO1, 2:58Sep 27, 1960Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
69Win61–8Douglas VaillantUD10Aug 16, 1960Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
68Win60–8Jerry BlackUD10Apr 25, 1960Alhambra Athletic Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
67Loss59–8Ralph DupasUD10Jan 13, 1960Fort Whiting Armory, Mobile, Alabama, US
66Win59–7Ray LancasterKO3, 2:20Dec 29, 1959Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
65Win58–7Virgil AkinsMD10Oct 28, 1959Capitol Arena, Washington, DC, US
64Loss57–7Carlos OrtizTKO2 Jun 12, 1959Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USFor vacant NYSAC and NBA light welterweight titles
63Win57–6Johnny BussoTKO6 Apr 17, 1959Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
62Win56–6Carlos OrtizMD10Dec 31, 1958Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
61Win55–6Lahouari GodihSD10Nov 7, 1958War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
60Win54–6Orlando ZuluetaUD10Sep 6, 1958Catholic Central Stadium, Muskegon, Michigan, US
59Loss53–6Joe BrownUD15Jul 23, 1958Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, USFor NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles
58Win53–5Davey DupasKO6, 0:40May 26, 1958Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, US
57Win52–5Johnny GonsalvesUD10Jan 9, 1958Auditorium, Oakland, California, US
56Win51–5Luke EasterTKO8, 1:51Dec 9, 1957Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
55Win50–5Orlando ZuluetaUD10Oct 30, 1957Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US
54Win49–5Johnny GonsalvesUD10Aug 20, 1957Auditorium, Oakland, California, US
53Win48–5Teddy DavisUD10Aug 3, 1957Muskegon, Michigan, US
52Win47–5Henry 'Toothpick' BrownKO6, 1:14May 22, 1957Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US
51Win46–5Danny DavisTKO4 Apr 6, 1957Muskegon, Michigan, US
50Win45–5Frankie RyffTKO6, 0:32Jan 30, 1957Biscayne Arena, Miami, Florida, US
49Win44–5Frankie RyffUD10Nov 14, 1956Biscayne Arena, Miami, Florida, US
48Win43–5Ludwig LightburnUD10Sep 19, 1956Biscayne Arena, Miami, Florida, US
47Win42–5Ralph CaponeTKO5, 2:57Aug 30, 1956Catholic Central Stadium, Muskegon, Michigan, US
46Win41–5Glen FlanaganUD10Aug 2, 1956Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
45Win40–5Ralph DupasSD10Jul 9, 1956Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
44Win39–5Danny DavisUD10May 10, 1956Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
43Win38–5Enrique EsquedaUD10Mar 25, 1956Plaza de Toros, Mexico City, Mexico
42Win37–5Ike VaughnUD10Feb 25, 1956Civic Center, Lansing, Michigan, US
41Win36–5Don MasonUD10Dec 6, 1955Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
40Win35–5Kid CentellaUD10Nov 7, 1955Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
39Loss34–5Paddy DeMarcoSD10Oct 3, 1955St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
38Win34–4Hocine KhalfiUD10Aug 16, 1955Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
37Win33–4Noel HumphreysUD10Aug 4, 1955Island Park Stadium, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, US
36Win32–4Elmer LakatosTKO8 Jul 28, 1955Marquette Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
35Win31–4Jimmy FordUD10Jul 12, 1955Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
34Win30–4Richie HowardUD10Jun 28, 1955Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
33Win29–4Larry BoardmanUD10Jun 21, 1955Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
32Win28–4Eli LeggettUD10Jun 7, 1955Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
31Win27–4Richie HowardPTS10May 30, 1955Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
30Win26–4Armand SavoieUD10Mar 29, 1955Civic Auditorium, Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
29Loss25–4Ralph DupasSD10Mar 14, 1955Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
28Win25–3Jackie BlairUD10Feb 14, 1955St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
27Win24–3Danny Jo PerezSD10Dec 13, 1954St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
26Win23–3Orlando ZuluetaSD10Nov 8, 1954St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
25Win22–3George CollinsPTS10Oct 4, 1954St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
24Win21–3John BarnesUD10Aug 12, 1954Marsh Field, Muskegon, Michigan, USRetained USA Michigan State lightweight title
23Win20–3Elmer LakatosUD8Jun 22, 1954Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
22Win19–3Sammy RodgersUD10May 27, 1954Marsh Field, Muskegon, Michigan, USWon vacant USA Michigan State lightweight title
21Loss18–3John BarnesUD8Mar 22, 1954Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
20Loss18–2John BarnesTKO1, 1:51Feb 1, 1954Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
19Win18–1Jesse UnderwoodUD10Jan 14, 1954Auditorium, Saginaw, Michigan, US
18Win17–1Mike TourcotteUD6Jan 2, 1954Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
17Win16–1Ronnie StriblingUD8Dec 1, 1953Civic Auditorium, Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
16Loss15–1Ronnie StriblingTKO2 Oct 20, 1953Prudden Auditorium, Lansing, Michigan, US
15Win15–0Ken HohnerUD8Sep 29, 1953Civic Auditorium, Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
14Win14–0Ralph CervantesUD6Sep 14, 1953Veterans Memorial Stadium, Saginaw, Michigan, US
13Win13–0Eddie CrawfordMD6Sep 10, 1953Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
12Win12–0Don GrintonTKO3, 3:00Aug 20, 1953Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
11Win11–0Dick HollingKO2 Aug 6, 1953Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
10Win10–0Ron McGilvrayPTS4Jul 23, 1953Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
9Win9–0Frank O'NealTKO3 Jul 16, 1953Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
8Win8–0Johnny ValentineSD4Jun 18, 1953Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
7Win7–0Benny UhlPTS5Jun 15, 1953Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, US
6Win6–0Milton ScottPTS4May 23, 1953Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, US
5Win5–0Jimmy DeMuraPTS4May 11, 1953Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, US
4Win4–0Jimmy DeMuraPTS4Apr 30, 1953Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
3Win3–0Bob HenryKO4 Apr 20, 1953Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, US
2Win2–0Jimmy DeMuraPTS4Apr 16, 1953Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
1Win1–0Clinton McDadePTS4Apr 9, 1953Civic Auditorium, Grand Rapids, Michigan, US